The article “National traffic plan aims to cut accident rates” (Sep. 10) shows that there is a serious problem with regard to traffic accidents in the Kingdom. With more than 7,000 deaths and 38,000 serious traffic-related injuries every year, the government has an obvious interest in cutting accident rates. A committee is not necessarily the answer, but it is better than nothing. However, as expressed in the reader's letter “Saher is not enough” (Sep. 10), something must be done about the quality of policing by the huge Saudi police force which is not doing a good job in this area. The reduction of speed is necessary, but the quality of driving also needs to be addressed in order to reduce accidents. There are cars on the road with parts missing and parts tied on with wire. Drivers form five lanes on a three-lane road. There are cars without lights, and drivers who do not use turn signals and those who drive the wrong way on one-way streets. Police officers could stop some of this, and it would also help if the attitude of the police to safe driving was improved. I have, for example, seen police cars without lights at night. Robbo, By email
